A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Holstein, Franz von

HOLSTEIN, Franz von, the son of an officer of high position, born at Brunswick Feb. 16, 1826. He was himself obliged to adopt the military profession, but eagerly embraced every opportunity of improving his musical knowledge. He studied with such success under Griepenkerl that in 1845, while he was working for an examination, he found time to finish an opera in two acts, 'Zwei Nächte in Venedig,' which was privately performed. He went through the Schleswig-Holstein campaign, and on his return to Brunswick set to work upon an opera on the subject of 'Waverley.' This more ambitious work in five acts was finished in 1852, and was shewn to Hauptmann, who was so pleased with it that he persuaded Holstein to leave the army and devote himself to art. From 1853 to 1856 therefore, with a considerable interval occasioned by ill-health, he studied at Leipzig, and produced several very promising works, among them a concert overture, 'Loreley.' He went to Rome in the winter of 1856–7, and continued his studies there, and subsequently at Berlin and Paris. In 1869 a new opera, 'Die Haideschacht,' was produced with success at Dresden, and was heard on all the principal stages of Germany. A comic opera, 'Die Erbe von Morley,' was produced in 1872 at Leipzig, and in 1876 yet another, 'Die Hochländer,' was given at Mannheim. In the night of May 21–22, 1878, the composer died at Leipzig. Besides the dramatic works we have mentioned, the following are important: a posthumous overture, 'Frau Aventiure,' a solo from Schiller's 'Braut von Messina,' 'Beatrice,' a scena for soprano with orchestra, and many songs and instrumental compositions.

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